Elmer Price Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

On Thursday, February 11, 2010, Elmer Price of Prairie Village, Kansas, passed away, just 1 day shy of his 92nd birthday. Elmer was born on February 12, 1918, in Galena Kansas, the third son of Yetta Brooks and Louis Price. The family moved to Miami Oklahoma, where they opened a dry-goods business, which Elmer would eventually assist in operating. He graduated from Miami Oklahoma High School and spent his first year of college at Texas A&M. He transferred to the University of Oklahoma where he joined Phil Beta Delta fraternity and was forever a die-hard Sooner. Elmer enlisted in the Air Force on October 31, 1942, and after OCS, became a Communications Officer with Cryptographic Security training. He spent his War years in France and Northern Africa as a supply officer, learning skills he would later employ in his business career. He received the EAME Theater Ribbon with 3 Bronze Stars and the American Theater Ribbon Victory Medal. He was honorably discharged in 1946 as a Captain and in the Reserves was promoted to Major. Elmer returned to Oklahoma to join his parents and brothers, Jack and Edward (Buddy), in the family business, Louis Price & Sons, with stores in Miami, OK and Chetopa and Baxter Springs Kansas. In 1947, while visiting his dear friend and fraternity brother, Bob Koenigsdorf, Elmer was introduced to his future bride and love of his life, Betty Wacknov, and as they say, the rest is history. Betty and Elmer were married on September 5, 1948, and spent the first 6 months of their marriage in Miami. Oklahoma. Then back to Kansas City, where Elmer began a 45-year career in the textile distribution business, as owner and president of American White Goods Company. True to his modest nature, he always listed his occupation as salesman. Elmer and Betty were members of Kehilath Israel Synagogue since 1948, where they celebrated many life-cycle events and where Elmer was a member of its Men’s Club. He was a member of the Board of Directors at Landmark Bank, a member of the Ararat Temple, was a 32nd degree Mason, and was a member of the ROMEOs. He was a past board member of the Jewish Geriatric Center. Always an avid learner, he especially enjoyed participating in recent years in adult education classes at the Jewish Community Center. Elmer was pre-deceased by his parents, Yetta and Louis Price, brothers and sisters-in-law, Jack and Johanna Price and Buddy and Anne Price, brother-in-law, Leonard Wacknov, and sister-in-law, Marilyn Wacknov. He leaves behind, his loving wife of 61 years, Betty; daughter and son-in-law, Gayle and Bruce Krigel; sons, Marc and Louis Price; grandchildren: Eliyahu (Andy) and Shanti Krigel; Emily Krigel; Jeffrey Krigel; Ashley and Joe Jonas; Aaron Price; Evan Price; and Alex Price; great-grandchildren: Isaiah Kavod Moshe Krigel and Kaela Grace Krigel, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Natalie Wacknov; Paul Wacknov; Donna and Sam Zavelo; Myrna and Jerry Wacknov; Chris and David Wacknov; and many nieces and nephews. Elmer’s family appreciates the wonderful care he received from his doctors, whom he considered his family: Don Cohen, Loren Berenbom, Mark Myron and Peter Shapiro, as well as Randy and Elyse Block and their exceptional caregivers. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Sunday, February 14, at Louis Memorial Chapel. Burial in Mount Carmel Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to suggest contributions to the Yetta and Louis Price Fund at Kehilath Israel Synagogue, the Shriners Hospital or a charity of your choice. Elmer led a rich, full and long life --always with a positive attitude. He used to say that every day that you were here to see it was a beautiful day. To Elmer, family was most important and he cherished his beautiful family above all else. He will be missed and remembered by all of us.

Elmer Price

February 12, 1918 - February 11, 2010